Location: WILKES-BARRE, PA
Accident Number: GAA17CA406
Date & Time: 07/10/2017, 1245 UTC
Registration: N2336J
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional
Analysis
The flight instructor reported that he was teaching his student to hover in the helicopter. The helicopter was in a 2-ft hover and began drifting to the left. The left rear skid contacted the ground, and the helicopter rolled left. The student pilot pulled up on the collective, and the instructor attempted to push the collective down. A dynamic rollover occurred, and the helicopter rolled onto its left side.
The flight instructor reported that wind gusts may have been a factor in the accident.
According to the METAR that the flight instructor was monitoring about the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 8 knots. The METAR reported no wind gusts and no convective activity that day.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and the main rotor system.
The pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The flight instructor's delayed remedial action to maintain helicopter altitude during hover flight instruction, and the student pilot's incorrect collective application, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
Findings
Aircraft
Altitude - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Personnel issues
Delayed action - Instructor/check pilot (Cause)
Incorrect action selection - Student pilot (Cause)
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-hover
Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Flight Instructor Information
Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor; Private
Age: 50, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Helicopter; Instrument Helicopter
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/17/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 11/17/2016
Flight Time: (Estimated) 5693 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1487 hours (Total, this make and model), 4540 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 25 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Student Pilot Information
Certificate: None
Age: 61, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/22/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 23 hours (Total, all aircraft), 23 hours (Total, this make and model), 10 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Manufacturer: ROBINSON HELICOPTER
Registration: N2336J
Model/Series: R22 Beta
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 1992
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 2168
Landing Gear Type: Skid;
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/01/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1370 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 6973.4 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: O-320-J2A
Registered Owner: STELLA AIR INC
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: Valley Aviation Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Does Business As: Valley Aviation
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KAVP, 962 ft msl
Observation Time: 1654 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 69°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 5000 ft agl
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 16°C
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 7000 ft agl
Visibility: 9 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots, 210°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.04 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Forty Fort, PA (KWBW)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Forty Fort, PA (KWBW)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1530 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: WILKES-BARRE WYOMING VALLEY (WBW)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 543 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry; Holes
Runway Used: 25
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3375 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.297222, -75.852222 (est)
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Allentown, Pennsylvania
Registered Owner: Stella Air Inc
Operator: Valley Aviation Inc
Operator Does Business As: Valley Aviation
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
http://registry.faa.govN2336J
NTSB Identification: GAA17CA406
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, July 10, 2017 in WILKES-BARRE, PA
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22, registration: N2336J
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The helicopter flight instructor reported that he was teaching his student to hover.
The helicopter was at a 2-foot hover and began drifting to the left. The left rear skid contacted the ground and a left roll ensued. The student pilot pulled up on the collective, and the instructor attempted to push the collective down. A dynamic rollover occurred, and the helicopter rolled onto its left side.
The flight instructor reported that wind gusts may have been a factor in the accident.
According to the METAR that was being monitored by the flight instructor about the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 8 knots. No wind gusts and no convective activity was reported via METAR that day.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and the main rotor system.
The pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Officials say both men were taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries and released.
The helicopter was removed from the runway just a few hours after it crashed at the Wilkes-Barre Wyoming Valley Airport in Forty Fort Monday afternoon.
Officials say a student pilot and his flight instructor were practicing touch and go takeoffs and landings on the runway just before 1 p.m. Monday when the helicopter flipped and crashed on its side.
"Very minor injuries of the occupants of the helicopter, very minimal amount of fluids down on the runway," said Forty Fort Mayor Andy Tuzinski.
Police and fire officials were on the scene of the crash down on the runway. Up above where there is a walking trail, many were shocked to see what was happening during their daily afternoon walk.
"It's surprising but it's part of life. Helicopters are very dangerous. I was told it was a lesson. Thank God they're OK," said Mike Maestri of Wyoming.
The runway was closed while officials waited for the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate. Later, a flatbed removed the helicopter from the runway.
"They put those vehicles out there as visual reminders in case someone doesn't get the word that the runway is shut down," explained Tuzinski.
The last time there was a major incident at this airport in Luzerne County was in 1989. Two people died in that crash.
"The operators of the airport are actually very responsible people. They cooperate with emergency services. We have a great relationship with them and they run a very good operation," Tuzinski added.
All of the vehicles have been removed from the runway now but it's still unclear if operations are running as normal here at the Wilkes-Barre Wyoming Valley Airport.
http://wnep.com
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